Lauren LeBlanc

1 week ago | urldefense.com | Lauren LeBlanc

If movies are a place where dreams come true and nightmares are made real, what do films say about history? And can the pursuit of art as a civilizing influence ever mitigate the horrors taking place outside the studio set? Austrian-German writer Daniel Kehlmann confronts the legacy of art and artists complicit with the Third Reich in “The Director,” a taut, unflinching historical novel focused on G.W. Pabst, a European filmmaker in World War II.

1 week ago | bostonglobe.com | Lauren LeBlanc

If movies are a place where dreams come true and nightmares are made real, what do films say about history? And can the pursuit of art as a civilizing influence ever mitigate the horrors taking place outside the studio set? Austrian-German writer Daniel Kehlmann confronts the legacy of art and artists complicit with the Third Reich in “The Director,” a taut, unflinching historical novel focused on G.W. Pabst, a European filmmaker in World War II.

1 month ago | latimes.com | Lauren LeBlanc

The desire to avoid topical novels is understandable during fraught times: So many readers turn to novels as an escape from our endless news cycle, and the last thing some might think they want is to dip into fiction grappling with dystopian themes. But it’s all the more imperative to read such work when the line between contemporary events and fiction blurs.

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Lauren LeBlanc

The desire to avoid topical novels is understandable during fraught times: So many readers turn to novels as an escape from our endless news cycle, and the last thing some might think they want is to dip into fiction grappling with dystopian themes. But it's all the more imperative to read such work when the line between contemporary events and fiction blurs.

2 months ago | bostonglobe.com | Lauren LeBlanc

Extreme pressure is generally a recipe for disaster, but what if an explosion is the point? This line of reasoning drives Marcy Dermansky’s slim and potent novel “Hot Air.” Known for her direct style and evocative storytelling, she’s exceptional as a sharp satirist. This arch, edgy comedy is no exception. Be prepared for a sleek but ultimately corrosive rush. The book begins at a personal crossroads.